Airman 1st Class Dillon Lebahn, member of the 3rd Operations SupportSquadron, shows Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets fromthe University of Alaska Anchorage how to don a one-handed emergencybreathing mask at the Air Crew Flight equipment facility Nov. 8.UAA ROTC cadets visit JBER to get an idea of what it’s like to be in the military. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Omari Bernard)

Prospective Air Force officers in the UAA Community & Technical College's Air Force ROTC were given insight into what it will be like to serve in the United States military.

The cadets spent the day at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson with members of the 3rd Wing, a unit of the Air Force which supports the U.S. Pacific Command and the Alaska North American Aerospace Defense Command Region.

"I think it's great for their morale to see the operators in action, but also being more aware of the commitment they are about to take and understanding a little more about the mission," said Air Force Maj. Jill McGraw, UAA Air Force ROTC associate professor of aerospace studies. "We are lucky to be in close proximity to a base, and I believe we are creating more prepared officers for the Air Force."

In the past, the UAA Air Force ROTC was only able to visit one or two squadrons at a time, McGraw said.

This is the first year the program is able gain a full operational focus and understanding.

"I think it opens their eyes to the military community, as far as what it contributes to this nation, and how they can participate and become good citizens of the world," McGraw said.

The content above is excerpted from the story "Seawolf ROTC cadets visit JBER squadrons" written by Staff Sgt. William Banton. It originally appeared on the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson website on Nov. 18, 2013. Used with permission from the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Public Affairs Office.